We've received several requests to include information on all aspects of releasing software to the public. There have already been many helpful articles on various topics related to public release of software. For an overview of these articles, see issue #139.
Pay special attention to the two articles outlined below. Both are long, thoughtful, thorough introductions that are "must reads" for any Liberty BASIC programmers who are considering the release of software to the public.
Brad Moore, getting the program ready to release (issue #99)
- check code carefully
- test and try to break
- add an about box
- create a helpfile
- tokenize code and gather runtime files
- add a unique icon to the runtime engine
- create an installation package
Eldron Gill, marketing your software (issue #100)
- shareware sites
- search engines
- various types of advertisements
- affiliate programs
- strategies to get the word out about your product
Let Us Know
The Liberty BASIC Newsletter is happy to provide more articles on this subject in future issues. Please take time to post a message on the newsletter feedback board to tell us what you think.
[http://libertybasic.conforums.com/]
It's a BIG Subject!
The subject of releasing software is vast -- far too large for a single newsletter article. Carl Gundel stepped forward to suggest that software authors check out the many resources of the Association of Shareware Professionals.
Association of Shareware Professionals
According to their website, The Association of Shareware Professionals is "The World's #1 Trade Organization for Independent Software Developers and Vendors"
Here is a description of their mission, from the website:
The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) was formed in April 1987 to strengthen the future of try-before-you-buy software as an alternative to conventional retail software. Its members, all of whom subscribe to a code of ethics, are committed to the concept of shareware as a method of marketing.
The ASP has many free resources, including articles, tips, downloadable software and newsgroups. There are also more resources available to members of the organization.
Free resources available include:
- Press Release Basics
- How Not to Write a Press Release
- How Important is a Copyright Notice
- Choosing a Price for your Program
- Frequently Asked Questions for Developers
- What is shareware?
- Why do authors use shareware to distribute their programs?
- How can I legally distribute someone else's shareware?
- Which programming language is used to produce quick, easy, quality software?
- How much money should I expect to make as a shareware author?
- How many people will register my software?
- How many people register shareware overall?
- I'm not a member, but can I upload my software to your site anyway?
- Where are good places to upload my software?
- How do I get my site listed on the ASP web site?
- How do I join the ASP?
- List of Download Sites, where you can submit your programs.
- Shareware Industry Events
- Tips for Shareware Distributors
ASP and Submitting to Shareware Sites
The ASP can help you learn about submitting your software to shareware listing sites. There are many sites that list shareware and freeware software. The lists are usually categorized and the software is often given a rating. Some sites keep a copy of your software for download, but most simply link to the downloadable file on your website.
The premier shareware site is Tucows.Com. Tucows reviews all software carefully, and only the best programs are listed, with ratings from three to five cows.
Here are some other sites that list shareware and freeware titles. The ASP has a huge list of such sites. This is just a small sampling.
- [http://www.topshareware.com/]
- [http://www.sofotex.com/]
- [http://www.softforall.com/]
- [http://www.shareup.com/]
- [http://paulspicks.com/]
- [http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/]
- [http://www.softwarevault.com/]
- [http://winsite.com/]
- [http://www.download.com/]
- [http://www.mostshareware.com/]
Submitting to Shareware Sites with PAD
From the ASP website, here is a description of PAD:
PAD is the Portable Application Description, and it helps authors provide product descriptions and specifications to online sources in a standard way, using a standard data format that will allow webmasters and program librarians to automate program listings. PAD saves time for both authors and webmasters. For more, see the PAD FAQ.
PAD files are simply tagged files in XML format that contain information about your software. When you are ready to submit your program to shareware sites, you'll have to type a bunch of information into data fields at each of the sites. That gets old very quickly! To make it easy, you can create a PAD file. The shareware site can then read the file online, or upload it from your computer, and fill in all of the fields automatically. You need only keep the information updated in one place -- your PAD file! Some sites check the contents of your online PAD file periodically and automatically update your software listing.
You can write your own PAD file, using any text editor, or editor capable of producing XML. The standards are listed on the ASP site. You don't have to do it by hand, though! The ASP has a free utility that helps you produce your PAD file, called PADGen. PADGen even checks the validity of URLs in your information. It makes PAD file generation easy and fast! The PADGen helpfile gives instructions for filling in the various fields.
Here are some screenshots of PADGen that show you how easy it is to "fill in the blanks" about your software to create a PAD file:
